Hello everyone,
I'm not sure if this is the appropriate forum as this is more a "what would have happened if I hadn't... would have I been liable for a fine/prosecution?".
In short, I bought a ticket from AFK to CBW but I boarded a train on platform 5 instead of 6 (same Southeastern high-speed train, only 2-3 minutes before my actual train). Once I got on the train and it started moving, I realised that I had taken a Stratford-bound train :roll: (non-stop to Stratford as well, as some call at Ebbsfleet). It was early in the morning (around 7.45) and I tried to find a member of staff on board to try to explain what had happened and even buy a ticket from them if necessary. However, I was unable to find anyone nor I had anyone checking tickets during my short 30-ish minute ride to Stratford. I got off the train and went up to the gates where I explained what had happened to a Southeastern lady at the barriers. She then told me: "Oh, just jump on another train back, then", to which I replied: "right, but I need to buy a ticket, no?", to which she said: "oh... then speak to my colleague at excess fares". Anyway, I go to his colleague and I explained the situation to him, and he sort of told me the same thing: "Right, go to platform 3 and take the next train". This was a bit weird, almost as if I was told by two DIFFERENT members of staff to just board a train in the opposite direction without paying for a ticket (even though it was clearly a silly mistake I had made, but still!). I bought a ticket eventually (I was sold a return) and travelled back to Ashford then to Canterbury, as originally planned.
My question is... did I do the correct thing? Should have I just followed these two people's instructions and just jumped on a train back without a ticket? (I don't think so!). I had a couple of well-travelled friends telling me: "no no, you shouldn't have bought a ticket! it was clearly a mistake! you never went past the barriers at Stratford anyway!" but of course I've been around these forums for a while now (not that I post much, but still), and reading some of the stories here I really did NOT want to risk a penalty fare, or even worse, prosecution.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance for your comments!
I'm not sure if this is the appropriate forum as this is more a "what would have happened if I hadn't... would have I been liable for a fine/prosecution?".
In short, I bought a ticket from AFK to CBW but I boarded a train on platform 5 instead of 6 (same Southeastern high-speed train, only 2-3 minutes before my actual train). Once I got on the train and it started moving, I realised that I had taken a Stratford-bound train :roll: (non-stop to Stratford as well, as some call at Ebbsfleet). It was early in the morning (around 7.45) and I tried to find a member of staff on board to try to explain what had happened and even buy a ticket from them if necessary. However, I was unable to find anyone nor I had anyone checking tickets during my short 30-ish minute ride to Stratford. I got off the train and went up to the gates where I explained what had happened to a Southeastern lady at the barriers. She then told me: "Oh, just jump on another train back, then", to which I replied: "right, but I need to buy a ticket, no?", to which she said: "oh... then speak to my colleague at excess fares". Anyway, I go to his colleague and I explained the situation to him, and he sort of told me the same thing: "Right, go to platform 3 and take the next train". This was a bit weird, almost as if I was told by two DIFFERENT members of staff to just board a train in the opposite direction without paying for a ticket (even though it was clearly a silly mistake I had made, but still!). I bought a ticket eventually (I was sold a return) and travelled back to Ashford then to Canterbury, as originally planned.
My question is... did I do the correct thing? Should have I just followed these two people's instructions and just jumped on a train back without a ticket? (I don't think so!). I had a couple of well-travelled friends telling me: "no no, you shouldn't have bought a ticket! it was clearly a mistake! you never went past the barriers at Stratford anyway!" but of course I've been around these forums for a while now (not that I post much, but still), and reading some of the stories here I really did NOT want to risk a penalty fare, or even worse, prosecution.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks in advance for your comments!